I’ve made it a priority to recruit broadly for Moderator-appointed committees and Town Meeting. Our largely volunteer system works best when it reflects the full range of people who live in Belmont and bring different experiences, perspectives, and life circumstances to the table.

For decades, Town Meeting was dominated by a narrow slice of the community, often leaving out parents, people with disabilities, and many others with demanding schedules or different lived experiences. Participation is changing, but expanding it requires constant outreach. As Moderator, I’ve worked with community groups and spoken with residents across Belmont to encourage more people to run for Town Meeting and get involved.

There is also important work to do on Town committees. In my appointments, I’ve focused on bringing in people whose voices and experiences have too often been missing, including parents and residents from underrepresented backgrounds.

Building a more representative Town Meeting and committee system is ongoing work—and it’s a commitment I will continue to honor.